Shishkin won the Betfair Ascot Chase by 16 lengths after being given a wind op, fitted with a tongue tie and stepping up in trip by around five furlongs. His performance was similar to the one he produced when beating Energumene in the Clarence House Chase at Ascot last January and has seen him regain his status as Timeform’s highest-rated horse in training with a figure of 179. Shishkin’s strength in the finish at Ascot suggests that he’ll have little problem staying three miles, and he would also have fair claims of getting the Cheltenham Gold Cup trip. The Ryanair Chase is the more likely target, and with Allaho ruled out, Shishkin will enjoy a clear edge on Timeform ratings. In other races, Oscar Elite won the Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase, and Springwell Bay won the opening novice hurdle in the style of an exciting prospect. I Like To Move It won the Grade 2 Kingwell Hurdle, earning a crack at the Champion Hurdle. There were also a couple of Grade 2s at Haydock, with Wakool landing the Rendlesham Hurdle, and Makin’yourmindup edging the verdict in the Prestige Novices’ Hurdle. In Ireland, Fil Dor beat Sharjah by half a length in the Grade 3 Red Mills Trial Hurdle.